Rachael French
@drrachaelf.bsky.social
Chair of Biology @SJSU, nerd, mom, Social Justice Ranger. The Matriarchy is Coming. She/Her. Opinions are my own. I swear a lot. drrachaelfrench on Threads.
Pinned
Rachael French
@drrachaelf.bsky.social
· Oct 19
In honor of being put on a science communicators list, I thought I’d bring back my most popular science communication thread from Twitter, before I never go there again.
This was in response to Ted Cruz asking AOC “what, exactly, is a Y chromosome?”
Read on if you want to know…
This was in response to Ted Cruz asking AOC “what, exactly, is a Y chromosome?”
Read on if you want to know…
Reposted by Rachael French
* The Save Act makes the states turn your voting information over to the federal government
NOBODY SHOULD WANT THIS
They are selling it as, "everyone thinks voters should have to produce IDs" but that is NOT what this bill does
NOBODY SHOULD WANT THIS
They are selling it as, "everyone thinks voters should have to produce IDs" but that is NOT what this bill does
February 10, 2026 at 9:37 PM
* The Save Act makes the states turn your voting information over to the federal government
NOBODY SHOULD WANT THIS
They are selling it as, "everyone thinks voters should have to produce IDs" but that is NOT what this bill does
NOBODY SHOULD WANT THIS
They are selling it as, "everyone thinks voters should have to produce IDs" but that is NOT what this bill does
Reposted by Rachael French
* If you are registered, the SAVE ACT mandates VOTER PURGES and does not require that the government alert the people purged if they have been purged
Which means YOU could show up at the polling place, find out you are not registered & must produce a passport or birth certificate
Which means YOU could show up at the polling place, find out you are not registered & must produce a passport or birth certificate
February 10, 2026 at 9:33 PM
* If you are registered, the SAVE ACT mandates VOTER PURGES and does not require that the government alert the people purged if they have been purged
Which means YOU could show up at the polling place, find out you are not registered & must produce a passport or birth certificate
Which means YOU could show up at the polling place, find out you are not registered & must produce a passport or birth certificate
Reposted by Rachael French
🧵
Please Democrats, the Save Act is a TURD, for once, message back effectively and in unison
* If you are not registered, you will have to show a birth certificate or a passport to register. If you are married and changed your name, you will likely not be able to vote
1/
Please Democrats, the Save Act is a TURD, for once, message back effectively and in unison
* If you are not registered, you will have to show a birth certificate or a passport to register. If you are married and changed your name, you will likely not be able to vote
1/
February 10, 2026 at 9:30 PM
🧵
Please Democrats, the Save Act is a TURD, for once, message back effectively and in unison
* If you are not registered, you will have to show a birth certificate or a passport to register. If you are married and changed your name, you will likely not be able to vote
1/
Please Democrats, the Save Act is a TURD, for once, message back effectively and in unison
* If you are not registered, you will have to show a birth certificate or a passport to register. If you are married and changed your name, you will likely not be able to vote
1/
Played "Abel's Buccaneers: 5: The Philosopher's Stone"
February 10, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Played "Abel's Buccaneers: 5: The Philosopher's Stone"
Reposted by Rachael French
And the new NCI Director moves to piss away his scientific credibility.
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
The National Cancer Institute will begin studying ivermectin's ability to kill cancer cells, @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social reports
www.statnews.com/2026/02/10/i...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/10/i...
National Cancer Institute studying ivermectin’s ‘ability to kill cancer cells,’ alarming career scientists
The National Cancer Institute is studying ivermectin as a potential cancer treatment, according to its top official, alarming career scientists.
www.statnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
And the new NCI Director moves to piss away his scientific credibility.
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
First, killing cancer cells is a very low bar; many compounds kill cancer cells and are not the least bit useful for treating cancer.
1/2
Now, it’s possible that this particular school district doesn’t have the resources to put students into multipurpose rooms with administrative staff like our did. But it seems unlikely.
February 10, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Now, it’s possible that this particular school district doesn’t have the resources to put students into multipurpose rooms with administrative staff like our did. But it seems unlikely.
Closing the schools is a technique designed to try to break the support of parents for the teachers.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
With teachers on strike and a deal still pending, San Francisco school officials announced schools would be closed Tuesday, adding a second day the district’s 48,000 students would not be in class as the two sides battle over raises and health care benefits.
📸: Ethan Swope
📸: Ethan Swope
February 10, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Closing the schools is a technique designed to try to break the support of parents for the teachers.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
When our teachers were on strike, schools were still open, though we kept our kids home as did nearly everyone we knew.
Reposted by Rachael French
The instant I saw the sugarcane in the opening shot, I knew it was about to be political af. If you somehow missed the politics, you should not be working as a reporter.
February 10, 2026 at 12:53 PM
The instant I saw the sugarcane in the opening shot, I knew it was about to be political af. If you somehow missed the politics, you should not be working as a reporter.
Reposted by Rachael French
They have now removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Inn.
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Trump administration removes Rainbow Flag from Stonewall National Monument
The Trump administration removed a large Rainbow Flag from a flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument, the National Park Service confirmed to Gay City News
gaycitynews.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:12 AM
They have now removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Inn.
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Reposted by Rachael French
Dinosaur Convention out here with higher moral standards than the Cabinet.
February 10, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Dinosaur Convention out here with higher moral standards than the Cabinet.
Reposted by Rachael French
The whole article is repulsive but this passage is at the core of it. She has no interest in writing books, she wants to win some kind of competition that nobody entered
February 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The whole article is repulsive but this passage is at the core of it. She has no interest in writing books, she wants to win some kind of competition that nobody entered
I doubt that I would have any followers who are snobby about romance as a genre.
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
February 8, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I doubt that I would have any followers who are snobby about romance as a genre.
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
But just in case. Y’all realize that novels as an art form wouldn’t exist without romance, right?
Y’all realize how hard it is to write a compelling story when everybody already knows how it’s going to end?
Reposted by Rachael French
Of all the books coverage you could do, all the romance coverage, all the culture coverage, you chose a fluffy piece about a lady who will not disclose her real name because she doesn’t always tell *people she coaches* the truth about her methods?
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Of all the books coverage you could do, all the romance coverage, all the culture coverage, you chose a fluffy piece about a lady who will not disclose her real name because she doesn’t always tell *people she coaches* the truth about her methods?
Reposted by Rachael French
Giving somebody anonymity in a FEATURE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM is absolutely ridiculous unless they are like fleeing persecution. She doesn’t want to tell readers the truth, she doesn’t want to take responsibility for the ethical problems with what she’s doing, WHY are you promoting her?
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Giving somebody anonymity in a FEATURE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM is absolutely ridiculous unless they are like fleeing persecution. She doesn’t want to tell readers the truth, she doesn’t want to take responsibility for the ethical problems with what she’s doing, WHY are you promoting her?
Reposted by Rachael French
You can make money in a lot of lousy, dishonest ways, but somehow only in romance does it get written up as if it’s essentially harmless and smart, on the assumption that nobody who reads romance cares whether it’s good or not.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
February 8, 2026 at 2:14 PM
You can make money in a lot of lousy, dishonest ways, but somehow only in romance does it get written up as if it’s essentially harmless and smart, on the assumption that nobody who reads romance cares whether it’s good or not.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
There are a ton of ebook scams on Amazon; this is just another one.
Even with such a small sample size, this ratio means that I just don’t buy self-published books anymore.
The AI slop problem is just going to make this much much worse. The people who write and self published things that are worth reading are going to vanish.
The AI slop problem is just going to make this much much worse. The people who write and self published things that are worth reading are going to vanish.
February 8, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Even with such a small sample size, this ratio means that I just don’t buy self-published books anymore.
The AI slop problem is just going to make this much much worse. The people who write and self published things that are worth reading are going to vanish.
The AI slop problem is just going to make this much much worse. The people who write and self published things that are worth reading are going to vanish.
I am 100% sure there are some excellent self published writers out there. They are hard to find.
I have read only one self published book I actually thought was good, and about three that were mediocre to bad.
I have read only one self published book I actually thought was good, and about three that were mediocre to bad.
February 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
I am 100% sure there are some excellent self published writers out there. They are hard to find.
I have read only one self published book I actually thought was good, and about three that were mediocre to bad.
I have read only one self published book I actually thought was good, and about three that were mediocre to bad.
And it was already quite difficult to sort out the good self-published books from the rest.
I don't see how self-publishing world survives GenAI. It's going to be an absurd increase in slop books with no reason to expect any increase in paying readers.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...
February 8, 2026 at 4:26 PM
And it was already quite difficult to sort out the good self-published books from the rest.
Reposted by Rachael French
even the high lifted and chivalric Crusaders of old times were not content to traverse two thousand miles of land to fight for their holy sepulchre, without committing burglaries, picking pockets, and gaining other pious perquisites
February 8, 2026 at 5:47 AM
even the high lifted and chivalric Crusaders of old times were not content to traverse two thousand miles of land to fight for their holy sepulchre, without committing burglaries, picking pockets, and gaining other pious perquisites
Reposted by Rachael French
Yup. This is also why I get annoyed when people start suggesting "golden age" science fiction titles to people who are new the genre and are asking for suggestions. You want to turn a modern 15-year-old off science fiction forever, recommend stories that were old when her grandparents were her age.
When people ask how to get into GA SF I always say that the right way is via some of those fat "Best Of" short fiction collections
February 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Yup. This is also why I get annoyed when people start suggesting "golden age" science fiction titles to people who are new the genre and are asking for suggestions. You want to turn a modern 15-year-old off science fiction forever, recommend stories that were old when her grandparents were her age.
Reposted by Rachael French
If you’re feeling low, I highly recommend taking 50 bucks, going to a bar with an Internet-connected jukebox and absolutely FUCKING with the vibe.
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
February 8, 2026 at 3:27 AM
If you’re feeling low, I highly recommend taking 50 bucks, going to a bar with an Internet-connected jukebox and absolutely FUCKING with the vibe.
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
You will never beat the looks on peoples faces when Jelly Roll is followed by Three Caballeros
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"Where are your citations?"
"Where are your citations?"
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"No, you can't leave that here."
"No, you can't leave that here."
February 8, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
“You have to serve on department committees. Everyone has to wash dishes.”
Rescued Paula from the Ringmaster's clutches with help from Dr Necropolis #ZombiesRun
February 7, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Rescued Paula from the Ringmaster's clutches with help from Dr Necropolis #ZombiesRun
Reposted by Rachael French
CA joins Illinois in presenting a bill to block ICE agents from being law enforcement in the state.
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
California bill bans ICE agents from teaching, policing jobs
Assembly Bill 1627 would disqualify former ICE agents who served from 2025-2029 from employment in California's public schools and law enforcement agencies.
www.foxla.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:05 PM
CA joins Illinois in presenting a bill to block ICE agents from being law enforcement in the state.
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
The bill goes further to also block ICE agents from becoming teachers.
www.foxla.com/news/califor...
Reposted by Rachael French
this may be the single most insufferable thing about the radical centrist caucus - not just extending good faith to obviously bad faith people but demanding everyone else do the same and chiding them when they don’t
A lot of our political discourse would be easier if we didn't extend good faith to people who would never extend it back.
February 7, 2026 at 4:22 PM
this may be the single most insufferable thing about the radical centrist caucus - not just extending good faith to obviously bad faith people but demanding everyone else do the same and chiding them when they don’t